Changes in blood circulation and the central nervous system functions in 4–10 year children with visual impairment

Abstract

Introduction. Visual impairment is the most common disturbances during the child development in preschool and primary school age. Such children need care with the health-improving technology based on scientific knowledge about the characteristics of their psychophysiological functions. The aim of the study is to identify development-related changes in blood circulation and central nervous system functions in 4-10 year healthy children and cases with visual impairments. Materials and methods. A total of 380 children were examined by electrocardiography, electroencephalography, registration of neurodynamic processes, analysis of the tactile function, and self-assessment of anxiety. Results. In subjects with visual impairment, an increase in age-related heterochronism in the development of psychophysiological functions was revealed. The accuracy indices of time intervals and tactile sensitivity of the skin of the fingers were higher, and the indices of physical development, kinematometry, and mobility of nervous processes in many age groups are lower than in healthy ones. Such adaptive changes were accompanied by an increase in functional stress. So, for example, in preschool children from 4 to 6 years, when analyzing the structure of the heart rhythm, an increase in the values of the stress index was noted (from 148.08 ± 3.32 to 220.08 ± 3.62 c.u.; p < 0.05). Conclusion. Judging by the high values of activity indices of the central mechanisms of heart rhythm regulation, anxiety, and the nature of bioelectric changes on the EEG, the “price” of age-related adaptation in children with sensory impairments rises. It contributes to the development of disadaptation. The conclusion is made about the need to develop effective means of psychophysical correction of children with visual impairments, taking into account the nature of age-related changes.